NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

REPORT OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

On the Call-in of the Cabinet decision of 5 December 2005:

THE SIXFIELDS AREA ACTION PLAN

1 Purpose To submit a report to Cabinet detailing the Committee’s findings following the Call-In Hearing that took place on Wednesday, 11th January 2006.

2 Context The Cabinet decision:

“That the report on the Sixfields Area Action Plan be received and noted but the proposals as circulated by the Chair outlined above be agreed as the way forward the preferred option and that the action plan be taken forward on this basis”

was called-in for Scrutiny by Councillors T Woods and B Hoare for the following reasons:

1 The decision is potentially unsafe and may put the Council at significant risk

2 The decision pre-empts proper evaluation of alternatives to provide the best possible District Centre facilities for the present and future residents of the South West District having a view to the needs of all stakeholders and of the wider needs of the town

3 The decision is potentially contrary to the emerging Local Plan that has been the subject of considerable consultation with residents and stakeholders.

4 The decision is likely to lead to considerable additional delays and uncertainties for all stakeholders

The Committee narrowed the basis of its Call-In hearing down to call-in reason 1. 3 Evidence The Committee heard evidence from:-

Internal Witnesses Councillor P Larratt Leader of the Council Councillor J Caswell Portfolio Holder Mairi McLean Chief Executive Clive Thomas Corporate Director David Taylor Corporate Director Steve Pointer Planning Policy and Conservation Manager Francis Fernandes Solicitor to the Council Jim Inch Senior Solicitor

External Witnesses Mr T Clarke Northampton Town Football Club Mr Cardoza Northampton Town Football Club Mr Hayes Chief Executive, WNDC Mr S Kelly Director of Planning, WNDC

A copy of the minutes of the Call In Hearing are attached at appendix A.

The following organisations submitted letters to the Committee providing comments on Cabinet’s decision of 5 December (Copies as at appendix B):

Drivas Jonas Northampton Town Football Club Ltd Hepher Dixon English Partnerships

4 Conclusions The Committee resolved that it was appropriate to recommend that the Cabinet reconsidered its decision and gives regard to the broader aspirations for the Sixfields Site. The Committee felt that it was about considering visionary perspectives for the town and the commitment to the Football Club and also about focussing on a vision for the wider Sixfields site.

Councillors raised concern about the decision being continued on the basis of just one option and suggested that all four options be considered together with a proper evaluation of all alternatives. The Committee realised that this could slow the process down but understood the need for evidence on which to base a decision.

Councillors discussed the Sixfields Area Action Plan and Town Centre Core Strategy and felt that it would be beneficial for the two to run in parallel. Core Strategy is the broader planning context and Area Action Plans are specific plans to develop an area. So the Area Action Plan needs to run in parallel following the development of the Core Strategy. The Committee wanted to raise awareness of laudable aspirations for the town and planning law. There is a need for greater separation in relation to the development of the Local Plan and the Council’s support for a viable Football Club.

Regarding the legal aspect, the Committee suggested that it informs Cabinet that it understands and endorses its desire to ensure high quality league football in Northampton but there is the need to consider the needs of the Football Club, local residents in the Sixfields area and the interests of the whole town.

5 Recommendations

Whilst the Overview and Scrutiny Committee supports the principle of promoting a viable football club in Northampton, it recommends:

(1) That in pursuing its aspirations to support the Northampton Town Football Club, Cabinet should keep its support of specific interests separate from its plan making activities for Sixfields. This will maintain the necessary distinction between the obligations of the Council as a Planning Authority and its other interests promoting social and economic activity in the town.

(2) That the Committee recommends to Cabinet that it reviews its decision to demonstrate that it has: (i) taken into account all the evidence; (ii) taken into account the wider community, social and economic interests in the development of its plan for the Sixfields area; (iii) properly evaluated all four options and that the resulting plan complies with all legislative requirements and Government guidance; and (iv) given regard to the compelling legal advice provided and taken steps to mitigate against any risk that may arise from future actions against the Council on the legitimacy of its plan making for the Sixfields area.

(3) That to ensure there is consistency in plan making, Cabinet consider running in parallel the development of the Area Action Plan for Sixfields and the Town Centre Area Action Plan.

REPORT AUTHOR: Councillor Brendan Glynane Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee